The Eagle and the Hart
The Tragedy of Richard II and Henry IV
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4.6 • 11 Ratings
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- $16.99
Publisher Description
From an acclaimed historian comes an epic tale of power and betrayal: the dual biography of Richard II and Henry IV, two cousins whose tumultuous reigns shaped the course of English history.
Richard of Bordeaux and Henry of Bolingbroke, cousins born just three months apart, were ten years old when Richard became king of England. They were thirty-two when Henry deposed him and became king in his place. Now, the story behind one of the strangest and most fateful events in English history (and the inspiration behind Shakespeare’s most celebrated history plays) is brought to vivid life by the acclaimed author of Blood and Roses, Helen Castor.
Castor showcases the enigmatic Richard II, a king who clung to his divine right to rule but lacked the leadership to sustain his throne. His reign, marred by narcissism and disdain for constitutional principles, spiraled into chaos, ultimately leading to his downfall at the hands of his cousin. Enter Henry IV—a stark contrast. Castor portrays him as a chivalric hero, a leader who inspired loyalty and camaraderie. Yet, his journey to the throne was anything but smooth, plagued by rebellion and political turmoil. What makes Castor’s account so compelling is her ability to weave these personal stories into the bigger picture. She explores the turbulent themes of masculinity, identity, and the fragile nature of power, offering a timely reminder of the perils of self-obsessed rulers—and the challenges faced by those who follow in their wake.
Richly researched and beautifully written, The Eagle and the Hart isn’t just a history book—it’s a gripping tale of leadership, legacy, and the timeless struggle for power. For anyone fascinated by medieval England or the universal dynamics of power and ambition, this is not to be missed.
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
The divine right of kings squares off against pragmatic politicking in this labyrinthine dual biography. Historian Castor (Joan of Arc) recaps the fraught relationship between Richard II, who ruled England from 1377 to 1399, and his cousin Henry Bolingbroke, who overthrew Richard and took the throne as Henry IV. Richard's reign is a study in foolish autocracy, in Castor's telling: he spent extravagantly on his court and on numerous failed military expeditions, and when Parliament balked at paying for it all, he took it as an affront to his sacred royal prerogative. (He had member of Parliament condemned to death just for recommending cost-cutting measures.) Henry sometimes supported and sometimes opposed Richard's increasingly bloody rule and claims of unlimited power, but after the king exiled him, he rallied England to depose and ultimately kill Richard. Henry's triumph soon soured as he, like Richard, faced wars abroad, internal rebellions, and endless squabbling with Parliament, but unlike Richard, Castor contends, Henry responded to challenges with compromise and conciliation. Castor turns the chaos of medieval politics, with its kaleidoscope of personal loyalties, into a lucid narrative set in a colorful panorama of chivalric tournaments and outlandish fashions. (Henry had an outfit made of 12,000 squirrel pelts, Castor reports.) The result is a captivating portrait of a tumultuous age when modern political sensibilities started to disrupt ancient ruling philosophies.
